The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-03-19
looked at me with her violet eyes I just
gave in and cried:

'Certalnly, my Qear, Slt rlgnt uOWn'
suppose the child saw I was crying,
for she had kind of snuggled up to me
and wanted to see the bird, and praised
him, and he chirped to her, and she
told me her sad story, how she had come
all the way from California, and was an
orphan going to seek living in the
great, untried world.
1 came near crying again then, but I
remembered where was and straight
ened up.
did you ever know Mr.. Grimwood
in California; l asked. Not that I
cared what had become of Hiram, but
I did it just to make talk.
I'll didn't know many people, she
said in her pretty bird-like voice. Il
went to school till my dear mother died
and left me alone and penniless.
She was crying then, and the man in
the seat before us turned straight around
and stared at her. I gave him look
and I tell you he turned away again
quick.
And she had to 60 at the next station.
I never felt so sorry to part with any
one, and she actually put her pretty arm
about my neck and kissed me; just as
if she had known me all her life.
But what does the man do but insist
on carrying her satchel out to the plat
form, and all the time the car waited
he stood out there talking to her. I
could not hear what he said, but I saw
her give him something and her face
was red and she was just as angry as
could be, and as the car moved off l
called to her, but she never took any
notice; she was so vexed about some
thing. 1 just made up my mind that
he made her pay him for carrying out
that satchel, and yet it didn't seem as
if any man could be so mean.
After while the man came back and
sat in the same seat he had occupied
all along, and-would you believe it?
he had the audacity to try and start
up conversation with me.
Have you the timer he asked, as
impudent as you please.
'Of course l have the time, Il answer
ed in huff. Il never travel without it. ,
would you mind telling me what
time it is2' he asked, politely.
Soft soap doesn't 60 down with me.
I looked square at him as I answered.
'Why don't you carry watch your
self and not trouble the ladies1'
He actually smiled. Then thought
maybe he would suspicion that I didn't
have any watch, only gold chain for
show, so took hold of it
Goodness, gracious! My watch was
gone.
Istood right up in the car and scream.
ed at the top of my voice:
Fire! murder! thieves! I've been
robbed. Stop the cars!'
Hush I said the man in front of me
in stern voice. 'Miltida Jane, sit
down and keep quiet; it won't do any
good to scream that way
l nearly tainted. He called me Ma
tilda Jane, and there never @ was but one
full name, and that was Hiram Grim.
wood. I pinched myself to see if I was
alive.
'That pretty girl took your watch,
he said.
'Never!' I said, Indignantly. 'Yor
may be Hiram Grimwood or his ghost
and if you are you've no right to come
back and tell lies. That poor child
steal, indeed!'
Matilda Jane, you haven't changed
bit, said the dreadful man. you are
just the same trusting, unsuspicious sou
you used to be. That poor child is al
adventures of thirty. She came into
this car on purpose to rob you.
MY purse is gone,' gasped, 'ant
check-Oh, Tom! Toni There
another fool in the family. I'll jus
throw myself on the track.
Isuppose must have been temporari
ly deranged, as they say in juries, fo
the next thing I knew was at the doo
of the car struggling with some one
who held my hands so l couldn't move
and that l broke down and cried, fol
this is what that dreadful man whispered
in my ear:
Matilda Jane, I have enough for u:
both, and if you love me as love yor
no knife can cut our love in two
We had hardly talked matters over
and accounted for each other through
all these years of parting, when we go
| in the town where Tom lived. We tool
carriage, at least Hiram-ahem, Mr.
Grimwood did, we drove right to the
house-a little nest in the outlines-anC
got there just as Tom and Hattie were
Sitting down to strawberry shortcake
big enough for a dozen. They were
laughing and carrying on like two chill
dren, and declare, they were so glao
to see me they nearly devoured me off
hand.
ooh, Tom,' I walled, there's your ole
aunt, who didn't know enough when the
Lord rained common sense to hoist hel
umbrella-Tom, the moneys gone.
'Never mind the money! cried Tom
Moneys fool to this. Give me an
other hug, old girl Say, aunty, sup
pose you introduce your pal
That wicked 10y! But l had forgot
ten all about my company.
It's an old friend, l said, blushins
like goose: 'Mr. Grimwood, Tom.
sOh, uncle Hiram, said the wretch
'I've heard of you all my life. YOU'RE
right welcome here,' and he pinchee
my poor arm till the tears came.
postponed telling about the robbery
until we had eaten supper, but l hac
hardly said the first word when Hiram
took out my purse and watch and laic
them in my lap.
'Why, then, Hiram, you-you are tn,
robber, was the next smart speech
made.
'Not quite ma 'am, said Hiram, anc
he didn't seem bit vexed, q said few
words to that sweet child; and slit
knew it. Now, Tom, your aunt ISM
fit to travel alone, is she7'
'Of course she isn't said the mis-
chievous Tom. 'She needs some ON
to keep her from throwing her none,
away. By the way, aunty, my little spe'
| hac turned ont all right Won shall hav